Imaging apparatus and display control method thereof

ABSTRACT

An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel unit for executing display toward a user side; a second display panel unit for executing display toward a subject side; an imaging processing unit for subjecting incident light from the subject side to photoelectric conversion to obtain a captured image signal; a recording processing unit for executing a recording process to a recording medium regarding the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processing unit; and a control unit for controlling the display states of the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit for each of a plurality of various types of operation periods changing along with the operation of the imaging processing unit or the recording processing unit, and executing display control wherein the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit can have different display content during at least a single operation period.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. JP 2008-284294 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Nov. 5, 2008,the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and the displaycontrol method thereof, and specifically relates to the displayoperation of an imaging apparatus wherein multiple display panel unitsare provided on the casing thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Imaging apparatuses such as digital still cameras, digital videocameras, and so forth have come into widespread use, and with many ofthem, a display panel made up of a liquid crystal panel or the like isformed.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007-158799, an arrangement is made wherein a displaypanel is provided on a camera casing with a relatively great area,monitoring of a subject image is executed at the time of imaging, andplayback display is executed at the time of playback of a capturedimage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Now, the present assignee has newly conceived an arrangement forproviding two display panel units on the casing of an imaging apparatus.Specifically, similar to the related art, in addition to a display panelunit configured to execute display toward the user (the person using theimaging apparatus) direction on an imaging apparatus casing, a displaypanel unit configured to execute display toward a subject side isprovided to the front face side (side serving as a subject side) or thelike on the apparatus casing.

Thus, in the case that such two display panel units are provided,suitable display should be made at each display panel, i.e., displayusing the two display panels effectively, display effective for a personviewing the display, and further display operation so as to avoidwasteful consumption power, according to the operation state orsituation relating to imaging.

It has been found to be desirable to realize suitable display at animaging apparatus including two display panel units.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an imagingapparatus includes: a first display panel unit configured to executedisplay toward a user side, disposed on an apparatus casing; a seconddisplay panel unit configured to execute display toward a subject side,disposed on the apparatus casing; an imaging processing unit configuredto subject incident light from the subject side to photoelectricconversion to obtain a captured image signal; a recording processingunit configured to execute a recording process to a recording mediumregarding the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processingunit; and a control unit configured to control the display states of thefirst display panel unit and the second display panel unit for each of aplurality of various types of operation periods changing along with theoperation of the imaging processing unit or the recording processingunit, and execute display control wherein the first display panel unitand the second display panel unit can have different display contentduring at least a single operation period.

The operation periods that change may include: a monitoring periodarranged to execute monitoring display of the captured image signalobtained at the imaging processing unit without executing a recordingprocess at the recording processing unit; a recording period arranged tosubject the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processingunit to a recording process at the recording processing unit as stillimage data; and a preview period arranged to display the still imagedata according to the recording process of the recording period.

The control unit may control the first display panel unit to display thecaptured image signal obtained at the imaging processing unit as amonitoring image, and control execution/non-execution of display of themonitoring image at the second display panel unit based on thedetermination process results of visual recognition possibilityconditions as to the second display panel, during the monitoring period.

In this case, the determination process of the visual recognitionpossibility conditions is a determination process regarding whether ornot there is a person at the subject side, a determination process of animaging mode, a determination process regarding internal detectioninformation, or a determination process regarding the image analyzingprocess results of a captured image signal.

Also, the control unit may control the first display panel unit todisplay the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processingunit as a monitoring image, and control the second display panel unitnot to execute display of the monitoring image, during the monitoringperiod.

Also, the control unit may control only one of the first display panelunit and the second display panel unit to execute display of still imagedata according to the recording process at the recording processing unitduring the recording period.

Also, the control unit may control both or neither of the first displaypanel unit and the second display panel unit to execute display of stillimage data according to the recording process at the recordingprocessing unit during the recording period.

Also, the control unit may control only one of the first display panelunit and the second display panel unit to execute display of still imagedata according to the recording process at the recording processing unitduring the preview period.

Also, the control unit may control both of the first display panel unitand the second display panel unit to execute display of still image dataaccording to the recording process at the recording processing unit, andfurther controls the second display panel unit to execute display of thestill image data for a longer period as compared to the first displaypanel unit, during the preview period.

Also, the operation periods may further include a playback periodarranged to play and display image data recorded in a recording medium,with the control unit controlling only one of the first display panelunit and the second display panel unit to execute the playback displayduring the playback period.

Also, the operation periods may further include a playback periodarranged to play and display image data recorded in a recording medium,with the control unit controlling the first display panel unit toexecute the playback display, and controlling execution/non-execution ofthe playback display at the second display panel unit based on thedetermination process results of visual recognition possibilityconditions as to the second display panel, during the playback period.

Also, the operation periods may further include a playback periodarranged to play and display image data recorded in a recording medium,with the control unit controlling the first display panel unit toselectively execute list display and single image display serving as theplayback display, and controlling the second display panel unit toexecute only single image display, during the playback period.

Also, the operation periods may further include a moving image recordingperiod arranged to subject the captured image signal obtained at theimaging processing unit to a recording process at the recordingprocessing unit as moving image data, with the control unit controllingthe first display panel unit to execute moving image display accordingto the recording process, and controlling execution/non-execution of themoving image display at the second display panel unit based on thedetermination process results of visual recognition possibilityconditions as to the second display panel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display controlmethod for an imaging apparatus including as operation periods of theimaging apparatus at least a monitoring period arranged to executemonitoring display of a captured image signal obtained at an imagingprocess without executing a recording process, a recording periodarranged to subject the captured image signal obtained at the imagingprocess to a recording process as still image data, and a preview periodarranged to display the still image data according to the recordingprocess, the display control method including the steps of: controllingthe display states of a first display panel unit configured to executedisplay toward a user side, disposed on an apparatus casing, and asecond display panel unit configured to execute display toward a subjectside, disposed on the apparatus casing, for each of the operationperiods; and executing display control whereby the first display panelunit and the second display panel unit can have different displaycontent during at least a single or more operation periods.

That is to say, with the above configurations, the display states of thefirst display panel unit and the second display panel unit arecontrolled for each of the various operation periods that changes duringa stage of the operation of the imaging apparatus. Particularly, displaycontrol is executed whereby the first display panel unit and the seconddisplay panel unit can have different display content during at leastone or more operation periods. Different display content means here astate in which different images are displayed, or a state in which oneof the panel units is set to display off. Also, that can have differentdisplay content means that can be different display content, forexample, depending on determination of visual recognition possibilityconditions.

According to such control, suitable display, effective display,prevention of wasteful display, or the like is realized at each displaypanel unit for each of various display periods.

For example, when changing to the monitoring period, still imagerecording period, preview period, playback period, moving imagerecording period, or the like, the corresponding display state iscontrolled according to the purpose of display, whether or not there isa person viewing the display, or the like.

Also for example, with regard to the second display panel unit, during amonitoring period or the like, the possibility of whether or not thereis a person at the subject side is determined, so as to execute displaycontrol accordingly.

Also for example, during the monitoring period at the time of imaging ofa still image (when awaiting a suitable timing for imaging of a stillimage), the user of the imaging apparatus (i.e., a user who attempts toperform imaging of a still image with the imaging apparatus) performsmonitoring of a subject image using the first display panel unit. Thismonitoring image is a captured image signal to be obtained at theimaging device unit during that period, also referred to as a throughimage, a real time moving image of a subject scene. The user confirmsthe subject image thus imaged to perform a release operation (shutteroperation) at a desired timing. This is the same as with a commonimaging apparatus.

During this monitoring period, with the second display panel unit, it issuitable to execute display based on a captured image signal, i.e.,display a monitoring image serving as a through image. For example, inthe case that a subject is a person, the person thereof can confirm hisfacial expression, pose, or the like to be imaged through the display ofthe second display panel unit.

However, this is effective only when the person is on the subject side.For example, when the user selects a scenery mode serving as an imagingmode, and attempts to image scenery where there is no person, it can beconceived that there is no person who view the display of the seconddisplay panel unit. Therefore, in such a case, there is no meaning evenif a monitoring image is displayed on the second display panel unit.Consequently, it is suitable to attempt to perform power saving byturning off the second display panel unit.

Thus, the display operations of the first and second display panel unitsare controlled suitably according to the operation period at that time,whereby useful display or more enjoyable display by the two displaypanel units, avoidance of increase in excessive consumption power evenif the two display panel units are provided, or the like can berealized.

According to the above configurations, with an imaging apparatus, twodisplay panel units are provided whereby the user side and the subjectside can visually recognize their sides respectively, and each displaypanel can execute suitable display for each of the operation periods.That is to say, useful display using the two display panel unitseffectively, display with high enjoyableness, avoidance of wastefuldisplay, or the like can be realized, and accordingly, a new and usefulimaging apparatus can be provided.

Particularly, whether or not there is a person at the subject side whocan view the second display panel and the display thereupon unit isassumed, and the display operation of the second display panel unit iscontrolled accordingly, thereby promoting the above advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of an external view example ofam imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the imaging apparatus according to theembodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation transition of theimaging apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 4A through 4C are explanatory diagrams of an image display exampleof the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 5A through 5C are explanatory diagrams of an image display exampleof the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control process example to execute thetransition of each of operation periods according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts of a process example of a monitoringperiod according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 8A through 8D are flowcharts of a process example of a recordingperiod according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process example of the recording periodaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process example of a preview periodaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process example of the preview periodaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process example of the preview periodaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process example of the preview periodaccording to the embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are flowcharts of a process example of a playbackperiod according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process example of the playback periodaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a control process example including a movingimage recording period according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 17A through 17C are flowcharts of a process example of the movingimage recording period according to the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the transition of adisplay state according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the transition of adisplay state according to the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Description will be made below regarding an embodiment of the presentinvention in accordance with the following sequence.

1. Configuration of Imaging Apparatus

2. Operation Transition

3. Screen Display Examples of Both Display Panel Units

4. Display Control Examples

-   -   4-1. Process Examples to Execute Transition of Operation Period    -   4-2. Process Examples during Monitoring Period    -   4-3. Process Examples during Recording Period    -   4-4. Process Examples during Preview Period    -   4-5. Process Examples during Playback Period    -   4-6. Process Examples during Moving Image Recording Period    -   5. Transition Example of Display State    -   6. Modification Examples

1. CONFIGURATION OF IMAGING APPARATUS

As an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of animaging apparatus, for example, serving as a digital camera, will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an external view of an imaging apparatus 1according to the present example as viewed from the back side (userside) and front side (subject side) thereof. With the imaging apparatus1, an imaging lens unit 20 and a flash emitting unit 15, and so forthare provided to the front side.

Also, operators used for user operations are formed on various portionssuch as the casing upper face, back side, and so forth. For example,there are provided a release operation key 5 a, a dial operating portion5 b, a wide/tele operation key 5 c, various types of operating keys 5 d,a D-pad 5 e, and so forth. The dial operating portion 5 b is used forselection of an imaging mode or the like, for example. Operations suchas a menu instruction, a playback instruction, an exposure correctioninstruction, and so forth are available through the operating keys 5 d.The D-pad 5 e is used for various types of operations includingselection/determination of an operation menu item to be displayed on adisplay panel 6, for example.

With the imaging apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1A, a main display panel6M made up of a liquid crystal panel, an organic electroluminescence(EL) panel, or the like is provided to the back side, and as shown inFIG. 1B, a front display panel 6F similarly made up of a liquid crystalpanel, an organic EL panel, or the like is provided to the front side.

The main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F have, forexample, the same screen size, and are provided so as to occupy arelatively wide area of the casing back and the casing frontrespectively. With the main display panel 6M, basically, during themonitoring period (when awaiting a suitable timing in the imaging mode)display of a monitoring image (through image) where a user is a subjectis executed, whereby the user can confirm a subject scenery serving asan imaging target. Also, with a playback mode, display of a playbackimage or thumbnail images is executed in accordance with the operationby the user.

On the other hand, the front display panel 6F is directed to the subjectside to execute display. With the front display panel 6F as well, anarrangement is made wherein display of a monitoring image or the like isexecuted, whereby a person serving as the subject side can view displaycontent thereof, which will be described later.

A configuration example of such an imaging apparatus will be describedwith reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging apparatus 1includes an imaging system 2, a control system 3, a camera digitalsignal processor (DSP) 4, an operating unit 5, a main display panel 6M,a front display panel 6F, a display controller 7, an external interface8, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 9, and a mediuminterface 10.

The imaging system 2 is a portion to execute an imaging operation, andincludes a lens mechanical unit 21, a diaphragm/ND filter mechanism 22,an imaging device unit 23, an analog signal processing unit 24, an A/Dconversion unit 25, a lens driving unit 26, a lens position detectingunit 27, a timing generating circuit 28, a blurring detecting unit 13,an emission driving unit 14, a flash emitting unit 15, a lens drivingdriver 17, a diaphragm/ND driving driver 18, and an imaging devicedriver 19.

The incident light from a subject is guided to the imaging device unit23 via the lens mechanical unit 21 and the diaphragm/ND filter mechanism22. The lens mechanical unit 21 is the internal configuration of theimaging lens unit 20 in FIG. 1B, and includes multiple optical lensgroups such as a cover lens, a focus lens, a zoom lens, and so forth.Also, the lens driving unit 26 is a transfer mechanism to transfer thefocus lens or zoom lens in the optical axis direction. The lens drivingunit 26 to which driving power is applied by the lens driving driver 17transfers the focus lens or zoom lens. A later-described CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 31 controls the lens driving driver 17, therebyexecuting focus control or zoom operation.

The diaphragm/ND filter mechanism 22 includes a diaphragm mechanism, andan ND filter mechanism to attenuate an incident light quantity by beinginserted into the lens optical system, and executes optical quantityadjustment. The diaphragm/ND filter mechanism 22 executes opticalquantity adjustment by opening/closing a diaphragm mechanism. Also, thediaphragm/ND driving driver 18 takes an ND filter in and out as to theoptical axis of incident light, thereby adjusting an incident lightquantity. The CPU 31 controls the diaphragm/ND driving driver 18 todrive the diaphragm mechanism or ND filter, whereby incident lightquantity control (exposure adjustment control) can be executed.

The luminous flux from the subject passes through the lens mechanicalunit 21 and the diaphragm/ND filter mechanism 22, whereby a subjectimage is formed on the imaging device unit 23. The imaging device unit23 subjects the formed subject image to photoelectric conversion tooutput the captured image signal corresponding to the subject image. Theimaging device unit 23 includes a rectangular imaging region made up ofmultiple pixels, and sequentially outputs, to the analog signalprocessing unit 24, the image signal that is the analog signalcorresponding to the charge accumulated in each pixel in increments ofpixels. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor array, a CMOS(Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor array, or the like isused as the imaging device unit 23.

The analog signal processing unit 24 internally includes a CDS(Correlation Double Sampling) circuit, an AGC (Automatic Gain Control)circuit, and so forth, and subjects the image signal input from theimaging device unit 23 to a predetermined analog process. The A/Dconversion unit 25 converts the analog signal processed as the analogsignal processing unit 24 into a digital signal, and supplies this tothe camera DSP 4.

The timing generating circuit 28, which is controlled by the CPU 31,controls the timing of various operations of the imaging device unit 23,analog signal processing unit 24, and A/D conversion unit 25.

Specifically, the timing generating circuit 28 supplies, in order tocontrol the imaging operation timing of the imaging device unit 23, atiming signal for exposure/charge readout, a timing signal serving as anelectric shutter function, a transfer clock, a synchronizing signalaccording to a frame rate, and so forth to the imaging device unit 23via the imaging device driver 19. Also, the timing generating circuit 28also supplies the above various timing signals to the analog signalprocessing unit 24 so that the analog signal processing unit 24 canexecute a process in sync with transfer of an image signal at theimaging device unit 23.

The CPU 31 executes control of each timing signal generated by thetiming generating circuit 28, whereby change of the frame rate of acaptured image, and electric shutter control (exposure time variablecontrol within a frame) can be executed. Also, the CPU 31 provides again control signal to the analog signal processing unit 24 via thetiming generating circuit 28, whereby gain variable control of acaptured image signal can be executed.

The blurring detecting unit 13 detects a shaking quantity, and themotion amount of the imaging apparatus 1 itself. The blurring detectingunit 13 is configured of, for example, an acceleration sensor, avibration sensor, or the like, and supplies detection informationserving as a blurring quantity to the CPU 31.

The flash emitting unit 15 is driven by the emission driving unit 14 soas to emit flash light. The CPU 31 instructs the emission driving unit14 to execute flash emission at a predetermined timing such as theuser's operation or the like, whereby the flash emitting unit 15 can beemitted.

The camera DSP 4 subjects the captured image signal to be input from theA/D conversion unit 25 of the imaging system 2 to various types ofdigital signal processes. With the camera DSP 4, processing functions,for example as shown in the drawing, such as the image signal processingunit 41, compression/decompression processing unit 42, SDRAM controller43, image analyzing unit 44, and so forth are realized with the internalhardware and software.

The image signal processing unit 41 executes a process as to an inputcaptured image signal. For example, the image signal processing unit 41executes an autofocus (AF) process, an auto exposure (AE) process, orthe like as an operation process used for driving control of the imagingsystem 2 using a captured image signal, and also executes an auto whitebalance (AWB) process or the like as a process as to a captured imagesignal itself to be input.

For example, as the autofocus process, the image signal processing unit41 executes contrast detection as to an input captured image signal, andtransmits the detection information to the CPU 31. Various types ofcontrol methods have been used as autofocus control methods, but with atechnique referred to as “contrast AF”, contrast detection is executedregarding the captured image signal at each point in time while movingthe focus lens forcibly, thereby determining the position of the focuslens in the optimal contrast state. That is to say, the CPU 31 executescontrol to confirm the contrast detection value detected at the imagesignal processing unit 41 while executing the movement control of thefocus lens prior to an imaging operation, and to determine a position inthe optimal contrast state as a focus optimal position.

Also, as focus control during imaging a detection method referred to asso-called wobbling AF can be executed. The CPU 31 confirms the contrastdetection value detected at the image signal processing unit 41 whilemoving the position of the focus lens by swaying the focus lens minutelyforward and backward all the time during an imaging operation. Theoptimal position of the focus lens changes depending to the state of asubject, but contrast detection is executed while changing the focuslens minutely forward and backward, whereby change in the format controldirection can be determined according to change in the subject. Thus,autofocus can be executed while tracking the state of a subject.

Note that, with a transfer mechanism of the lens driving unit 26, anaddress is assigned thereto for each of transfer positions, and a lensposition is distinguished with the transfer position address thereof.

The lens position detecting unit 27 distinguishes the address of thefocus lens serving as the current lens position of the focus lens,thereby calculating distance to a subject in a focused state, andaccordingly, this can be supplied to the CPU 31 as distance information.Thus, the CPU can distinguish distance to a principal subject in afocused state.

As the auto exposure process executed by the image signal processingunit 41 of the camera DSP 4, for example, calculation of subjectluminance is executed. For example, the average luminance of inputcaptured image signals is calculated, and this is supplied to the CPU 31as subject luminance information, i.e., exposure quantity information.As calculation of average luminance, various types of methods can beconceived, for example, such as calculation of the average valueregarding the luminance signal values of all the pixels of the capturedimage data of one frame, calculation of the average value of luminancesignal values wherein weight is provided to the center portion of animage, or the like.

The CPU 31 can execute automatic exposure control based on this exposurequantity information, i.e., can execute exposure adjustment inaccordance with electronic shutter control at the diaphragm mechanism,ND filter, or imaging device unit 23, or gain control as to the analogsignal processing unit 24.

The image signal processing unit 41 of the camera DSP 4 executesautomatic white balance, gamma correction, an edge enhancement process,a shaking correction process, or the like as the signal process of thecaptured image signal itself in addition to a signal generating processused for autofocus operation or auto exposure operation.

The compression/decompression processing unit 42 of the camera DSP 4executes a compression process as to the captured image signal, or adecompression process as to the compressed image data. For example, thecompression/decompression processing unit 42 executes a compressionprocess/decompression process using a method such as JPEG (JointPhotographic Experts Group), MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), or thelike.

The SDRAM controller 43 executes writing/readout as to the SDRAM 9. TheSDRAM 9 is used for temporary storing of the captured image signal inputfrom the imaging system 2, storing at the process stage at the imageprocessing unit 41 or compression/decompression processing unit 42,ensuring of a work region, storing of information obtained at theinformation analyzing unit 44, or the like, and the SDRAM controller 43executes writing/readout of such data as to the SDRAM 9.

The image analyzing unit 44 executes image analysis, for example,regarding the captured image data processed at the image signalprocessing unit 41, and executes various types of image recognition. Inthe case of the present example, the image analyzing unit 44 executes arecognition process of a person or face included in a subject image.Also, in the case of recognizing a person's face, the image analyzingunit 44 executes a recognition process for facial orientation, sightdirection, or the like in some cases. Further, the image analyzing unit44 detects various types of information that can be recognized by imageanalysis, such as the size of relative motion between the imagingapparatus 1 and a subject, or the like in some cases.

The control system 3 includes the CPU 31, RAM 32, flash ROM 33, andclock circuit 34. Each unit of the control system 3, camera DSP 4, andeach unit of the imaging system 2, display controller 7, externalinterface 8, and medium interface 10 can communicate image data andcontrol information mutually via the system bus.

The CPU 31 controls the whole of the imaging apparatus 1. Specifically,the CPU 31 executes various types of operation processes, and exchangeof a control signal or the like as to each unit based on the programstored in the internal ROM or the like, and the user's operation by theoperating unit 5, thereby causing each unit to execute a predeterminedoperation. Particularly, the CPU 31 executes display control at the maindisplay panel 6M, and a control process used for display operation of alater-described front display panel 6F, or the like.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 32 is used for temporary storing of thecaptured image signal (image data of each frame) processed at the cameraDSP 4, and storing of information according to each type of process ofthe CPU 31.

The flash ROM 33 is used for storing of image data (imaged as a stillimage or moving image by the user) serving as a captured image, orstoring of information requested for being saved in a nonvolatilemanner. The flash ROM 33 may store control software programs of theimaging apparatus 1, the setting data of the camera, and so forth.

The clock circuit 34 counts the current date and time information (year,month, day, hour, minute, second).

The operating unit 5 is configured of various types of operators (5 athrough 5 e, etc.) shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and a signal generatingunit based on the operation thereof. The user's operation information byvarious types of operators is transmitted from the operating unit 5 tothe CPU 31. Note that the operating unit 5 may be configured so as toallow the user to perform touch panel operations in addition tooperations by the operators. For example, an arrangement may be madewherein a touch sensor is provided to the main display panel 6M, andoperation input is performed by the user's touch operation as to screendisplay.

The display controller 7 controls the main display panel 6M and thefront display panel 6F to execute a predetermined display operationbased on the control of the CPU 31.

As a display operation at the main display panel 6M, monitoring display(so-called through image display), playback image display read out fromthe recording medium 90 or flash ROM, operation menu display, varioustypes of icon display, point-in-time display, or the like is executed.Also, as a display operation at the front display panel 6F, monitoringdisplay, or playback image display is executed.

The medium interface 10 executes readout/writing of data as to therecording medium 90 such as a memory card (card-shaped removable memory)set within the imaging apparatus 1, or the like based on the control ofthe CPU 31. For example, the medium interface 10 executes an operationto record still image data or moving image data serving as an imagedresult in the recording medium 90. Also, the medium interface 10executes an operation to read out image data from the recording medium90 at the time of the playback mode.

Note that the portable memory card is exemplified as the recordingmedium 90 here, but another type of recording medium may be used as longas this medium can be used for recording image data serving as a stillimage or moving image to be kept as an imaged result. For example, aportable disk medium such as an optical disc or the like may be used, oran HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be installed to record image data.

The external interface 8 executes transmission/reception of varioustypes of data as to an external apparatus via a predetermined cable inaccordance with a signal standard, such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) orthe like, for example. It goes without saying that an external interfaceaccording to another standard such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 1394 or the like may be used regardless of theUSB method.

Also, the external interface 8 may be configured by a wirelesstransmission method such as infrared transmission, short-distancewireless communication, or the like, instead of a cable transmissionmethod.

The imaging apparatus 1 can execute data transmission/reception as tovarious types of equipment such as a personal computer or the like viathe external interface 8. For example, captured image data can betransferred to an external apparatus.

Note that a proximity sensor 50 is shown in FIG. 2. Let us say that theproximity sensor 50 is a sensor to detect whether or not there is aperson in front of the imaging apparatus 1 (subject side). For example,a pyroelectric sensor or the like can be employed. As described above,in the case that person detection is executed by the image analyzingprocess of the image analyzing unit 44, the proximity sensor 50 may notbe provided, or person detection by image analysis, and detection by theproximity sensor 50 may be used together.

2. OPERATION TRANSITION

The transition of the operation period of the imaging apparatus 1 of thepresent example will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Theoperation period is a period accompanying an imaging operation orrecording operation.

The operation period of the imaging apparatus 1 is changed to themonitoring period, recording period, preview period, and playback periodaccording to the user's operation or the like. Note that, in reality,there are other operation states such as a period wherein communicationwith an external apparatus is executed, but description thereof will beomitted for the sake of simplifying explanation.

When the imaging apparatus 1 is, for example, powered on, the monitoringoperation is started. Note that, there are cases where the imagingapparatus 1 goes to a playback operation state at the time of power-on,such as a case where the user performs a playback operation from apower-off state, or the like.

The monitoring period is an operation period used for executing imagingby the imaging system 2. In the case that the user commonly uses theimaging apparatus 1 to execute imaging of a still image, first, thismonitoring operation is executed.

With this monitoring period, a subject image (through image) isdisplayed on the main display panel 6M. Specifically, the CPU 31controls the imaging system 2 and camera DSP 4 to execute an operationfor imaging during the monitoring period. Subsequently, the CPU 31stores the captured image data for each frame supplied from the cameraDSP 4, for example, in the RAM 32. Subsequently, the CPU 31 transfersthe captured image data for each frame to the display controller 7, andcontrols the main display panel 6M to execute monitoring display. Atthis time there is a case where the front display panel 6F is alsocontrolled to execute monitoring display, which will be described later.

During this monitoring period, the user selects a subject, or awaits asuitable timing to take a picture, while viewing the display of the maindisplay panel 6M.

During the monitoring period, upon the user pressing the releaseoperation key 5 a, i.e., upon the user performing a shutter operation,an operation serving as the recording period is started.

The CPU 31 executes a process to store the captured image data of oneframe to be imaged at the timing of this release operation as stillimage data. Specifically, the CPU 31 transfers the captured image datacaptured at such timing to the medium interface 10 to record this in therecording medium 90.

Note that a recording operation according to a release operation may beexecuted not as to the recording medium 90 but as to the flash ROM 33.Also, an operation system may be employed wherein recording is usuallyexecuted as to the recording medium, but in the case that the recordingmedium 90 is not mounted, recording is executed as to the flash ROM 33.This recording period is temporally a momentary period immediately aftera release operation as viewed from the user, but display control isexecuted regarding the main display panel 6M and the front display panel6F during such a period as described later.

For example, a certain period of time immediately after a recordingoperation according to a release operation will be referred to as thepreview period. The preview period is a period wherein the imagerecorded in the immediately previous recording operation is displayed onthe main display panel 6M, i.e., a period wherein the user is allowed toconfirm the imaged still image immediately after.

In the case that the preview period is limited to a certain period oftime, a period of two seconds through several seconds or so, forexample, is provided as the preview period. The CPU 31 controls the maindisplay panel 6M and the front display panel 6F to display the recordedstill image data during this period.

Note that, as an internal process of the imaging apparatus 1, there is acase where the process of the recording period and the process of thepreview period are overlapped temporally. An example of this case is acase where time has to be taken for the recording process, and thepreview process is started before recording is completed. In such acase, it is better to understand that internally, transition from therecording period to the preview period is not executed completely, butwith regard to a display operation, transition form the recording periodto the preview period is executed.

Upon predetermined time serving as the preview period having elapsed,the CPU 31 returns the operation state to the monitoring state, andexecutes operation control serving as the monitoring period. That is tosay, the monitoring period, recording period, and preview period havechanged, whereby a series of operations as imaging of a still image isexecuted.

Note that, with the imaging apparatus 1, imaging of a moving image canbe executed, but in the case of a moving image, the recording periodcontinues during a period from the start to the end of imaging of themoving image thereof. Also, in this case, no preview period is provided.Description will be made later regarding recording of a moving image.

In the case that the user has performed an operation to instruct aplayback operation, the imaging apparatus 1 proceeds to a playbackoperation state (playback period). During the playback period, anoperation to play the image recorded in the recording medium 90 or flashROM 33 by imaging or the like is executed.

The CPU 31 reads out the image recorded in the recording medium 90 orflash ROM 33 in response to the user's operation, and instructs thedisplay controller 7 to display thumbnail images or a playback image onthe main display panel 6M. Also, the playback image is displayed on thefront display panel 6F in some cases.

3. SCREEN DISPLAY EXAMPLES OF BOTH DISPLAY PANEL UNITS

Screen display examples to be displayed on the main display panel 6M andthe front display panel 6F of the imaging apparatus 1 according to thepresent example will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A through 5C.

FIG. 4A illustrates a state in which image display is executed on themain display panel 6M, and display is off on the front display panel 6F.The image to be displayed is a monitoring image (through image) duringthe monitoring period, a recording image (image recorded and processedas a still image) during the recording period, or a preview image (imagerecorded and processed as a still image immediately before) during thepreview period, or the like. Also, a playback image during the playbackperiod is the image to be displayed in some cases.

The playback image assumes a playback image of an image imaged in thepast and recorded in the recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33, but may bean image stored in the imaging apparatus 1 beforehand. An example ofthis case is a case where image data is prepared so as to be displayedwhen no monitoring image is displayed on the front display panel 6F, andis stored as a preset image in the flash ROM 33 or the like beforehand,and the preset image data thereof is read out and displayed.

Further, it can be conceived that the playback image is not restrictedto image data serving as a so-called captured image, text data,animation data, computer graphics data, or the like is recorded in therecording medium 90 or flash ROM 33, and such data is played anddisplayed. That is to say, the play back image includes any kind ofimage that can be displayed.

FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which image display such as a monitoringimage, playback image, or the like is executed on the main display panel6M, and the same image is also displayed on the front display panel 6F.

FIG. 4C illustrates a state in which a different image is displayed onthe main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F.

FIG. 5A is an example wherein display is off on the main display panel6M, and display of a monitoring image or the like is executed on thefront display panel 6F.

FIG. 5B illustrates, as a display example of the playback period, astate in which list display by the thumbnail images of the playbackimage is executed on the main display panel 6M, and on the other hand,with the front display panel 6F, a playback image under selection by acursor K within a thumbnail image is displayed.

FIG. 5C illustrates, as a display example of the playback period, astate in which display of a playback image is executed on the maindisplay panel 6M, and the same playback image is also displayed on thefront display panel 6F.

The above is an example of display state examples, but with the presentexample, suitable display control is executed on the main display panel6M and the front display panel 6F for each of the operation periods, andaccordingly, various display states are realized.

The CPU 31 executes display control regarding the main display panel 6Mand the front display panel 6F according to the display purpose andestimated situation at each of the operation periods, and as a resultthereof, as described above, the display states of both display panels6M and 6F vary. Various descriptions will be made next regarding thetransition of the operation period, and an operation control example ateach period.

4. DISPLAY CONTROL EXAMPLES 4-1. Process Examples to Execute Transitionof Operation Period

First, an overall operation control example accompanying the transitionof the operation period of the CPU will be described with reference toFIG. 6. Now, an example will be described wherein upon the imagingapparatus 1 being powered on, and being activated, first an operationserving as the monitoring period is executed (example corresponding toFIG. 3).

Upon the imaging apparatus 1 being powered on, the CPU 31 executes amonitoring period start process in step F101 in FIG. 6. Specifically,the CPU 31 executes a predetermined activation process, and instructsthe imaging system 2 and camera DSP 4 to start an imaging operation.Thus, each frame data serving as a monitoring image to be obtained atthe processes of the imaging system 2 and camera DSP 4 is captured.

In step F102, the CPU 31 executes a display control process serving asthe monitoring period. During the monitoring period, basically, the CPU31 controls the main display panel 6F to display a monitoring image onthe front display panel 6F. Also, the CPU 31 controls the front displaypanel 6F to display a monitoring image in some cases. A specific processexample in step F102 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B,and so forth.

The monitoring period is a period wherein the user determines a subjector picture composition while viewing a monitoring image, or aims forrelease timing. Also, the user can also switch the operation state ofthe imaging apparatus 1 from a monitoring state to a playback operation.

Therefore, in step F103, the CPU 31 monitors the user's playbackinstruction operation, and in step F104 monitors the user's releaseoperation.

Upon detecting that the user has performed the operation of the releaseoperation key 5 a, in step F105 the CPU 31 proceeds to the recordingperiod to execute a process to be performed, i.e., a still imagerecording process and display control.

The CPU 31 executes, as the still image recording process, a process tostore the captured image data of one frame to be imaged at the timing ofa release operation as still image data. That is to say, the CPU 31transfers the captured image data captured at the timing thereof to themedium interface 10 to record this in the recording medium 90 or flashROM 33.

Also, this recording period is a very short period of time immediatelyafter a release operation as viewed from the user, during whichrecording period the CPU 31 executes display control different from themonitoring period regarding the main display panel 6M and the frontdisplay panel 6F. A specific example will be described later.

As described in FIG. 3, for example, a certain period of timeimmediately after a recording operation corresponding to a releaseoperation is used as the preview period. The CPU 31 executes, as theprocess of the preview period in step F106, a process to display animage recorded in an immediately previous recording operation, but inthis case as well, executes display control regarding the main displaypanel 6M and the front display panel 6F as display control differentfrom the recording period and the monitoring period. After the previewprocess, the CPU 31 returns to step F101 to execute the start process ofthe monitoring period again, and in step F102 executes display operationcontrol serving as the monitoring period.

In the case that the user has performed a playback instruction operationduring the monitoring period, the CPU 31 proceeds to step F107 toexecute a playback display process. That is to say, the CPU 31 executescontrol of the readout process of the image data from the recordingmedium 90 by the medium interface 10, or the readout process of theimage data from the flash ROM 33. During this playback period, the CPU31 executes a later-described display control process for the playbackperiod to execute display control regarding the main display panel 6Mand the front display panel 6F, which will be described later. In thecase that the playback operation is ended according to the user'soperation or the like, the CPU 31 returns for step F108 to F101 toproceed to the process of the monitoring period again.

Note that, though not shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 executes a power-offprocess according to the user's operation or predetermined time elapsedin a non-operating state or the like.

4-2. Process Examples During Monitoring Period

According to the process in FIG. 6, the imaging apparatus 1 executes,according to the user's operation or the like, as the operation statethereof, transition of the monitoring period, recording period, previewperiod, and playback period.

With the present example, according to the transition of these operationperiods, the CPU 31 executes switching of the display states and displaycontents of the main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F. Aspecific process example for each of the operation periods will bedescribed next.

First, a process example during the monitoring period will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, i.e., a process example of the CPU 31as step F102 in FIG. 6.

With the example in FIG. 7A, first in step F201, the CPU 31 controls themain display panel 6M to display a monitoring image. Thus, a monitoringimage serving as a subject image (through image) obtained at theoperations of the imaging system 2 and camera DSP 4 is displayed on themain display panel 6M, whereby the user can perform selection of asubject or picture composition, or the like while viewing the monitoringimage.

At this time, the CPU 31 executes steps F202 through F205 as the displaycontrol of the front display panel 6F.

First, in step F202, the CPU 31 executes condition determinationregarding display of the front display panel 6F. This is thedetermination process of visual recognition possibility conditionsregarding the front display panel 6F. “Visual recognition possibility”means the possibility that display of the front display panel 6F will beexecuted effectively.

For example, it is assumed that for a visual recognition possibility tobe real, there has to be a person to view the front display panel 6F,that the front display panel 6F is in a normally recognizable state inthe case that the person attempts to view the front display panel 6F,that the person intends to view the front display panel 6F, and soforth.

The determination of this visual recognition probability can beexecuted, for example, as a determination process regarding whether ornot there is a person at the subject side, a determination process ofthe imaging mode, a determination process regarding internal detectioninformation, or a determination process regarding the image analyzingprocess results of a captured image signal.

Subsequently, upon determining that there is a visual recognitionpossibility, the CPU 31 advances the process from step F203 to step F204to execute display control of a monitoring image on the front displaypanel 6F. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the same way as with themain display panel 6M, the monitoring image is also displayed on thefront display panel 6F.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility, the CPU 31 advances the process from step F203 to step F205to execute control for turning off the display of the front displaypanel 6F. For example, the CPU 31 changes the front display panel 6F toa non-displaying state, or executes power-off control regarding thefront display panel 6F. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, themonitoring image is displayed on the main display panel 6M alone.

If the conditions assumed regarding a visual recognition possibility aresatisfied by the CPU 31 executing the process in FIG. 7A in step F102 inFIG. 6, display of the monitoring image is executed on the front displaypanel 6F at the process in step F204.

During the monitoring period, it is suitable to display a monitoringimage on the front display panel 6F. For example, in the case that thesubject is a person, the person thereof can confirm his facialexpression or pose or the like to be imaged while viewing the display ofthe front display panel 6F.

However, this is effective only when the person is at the subject side.For example, when an user attempts to image scenery where there is noperson, there is no person viewing the display of the front displaypanel 6F in most cases.

Also, even if there is a person as a subject, the person thereof mayhave difficulty in actually viewing the display due to the surroundingbrightness or the like in some cases. Further, even if there is a personas a subject, there may be a situation in which the person thereof isnot viewing the display of the front display panel 6F, or has difficultyin viewing the display of the front display panel 6F.

In such cases, there is no meaning for a monitoring image to bedisplayed on the front display panel 6F, and it is suitable to realizepower saving by turning off the front display panel 6F, and accordingly,in such cases, in step F205 the CPU 31 turns off the front display panel6F.

That is to say, an arrangement is made wherein, in the case thatdetermination is made according to the condition determination that thedisplay of the front display panel 6F is effective, a monitoring imageis displayed on the front display panel 6F, whereby a subject person orthe like can confirm a subject (e.g., his own facial expression orpose). On the other hand, in the case that determination is made thatthe display of the front display panel 6F is ineffective, the display ofthe front display panel 6F is turned off. That is to say, wastefuldisplay which nobody views, and wasteful display with poor visibility,are not executed, thereby realizing conservation of power.

The condition determination of a visual recognition possibility will beexemplified below. Determination according to the imaging mode is oneexample of a technique for condition determination.

The imaging mode is a mode that the user selects so as to performimaging in a suitable state under various situations, such as a nightview mode, night view and person mode, portrait mode, scenery mode,“soft snap” mode, snow mode, beach mode, high-speed shutter mode,high-sensitivity mode, smile shutter mode, and so forth.

With each of these imaging modes, suitable shutter speed, suitableexposure setting, suitable signal gain setting as to a captured imagesignal, suitable signal process settings such as edge enhancement andcolor process, and so forth have already been determined, and thesesettings can be selected by the user, for example, according to theoperations of the dial operating portion 5 b shown in FIG. 1A.

The night view mode is an imaging mode wherein imaging is executed withsettings suitable for night view imaging. The night view and person modeis an imaging mode wherein imaging is executed with settings capable ofimaging the night view of the back and the facial expression of a personwith vivid clarity.

The portrait mode is an imaging mode wherein imaging is executed withsettings suitable for person imaging.

The scenery mode is an imaging mode wherein imaging is executed withsettings suitable for scenery imaging.

The “soft snap” mode is an imaging mode wherein imaging is executed withsettings to give a viewer the impression that the texture of the skin ofa person is bright and soft.

The high-speed shutter mode is an imaging mode wherein imaging isexecuted with settings suitable for a moving subject.

The high-sensitivity mode is an imaging mode wherein imaging is executedwith natural mood using neither dark scenes nor flash.

The smile shutter mode is an imaging mode wherein a shutter process(release) is automatically executed when the subject person smiles.

Though an imaging mode used for executing an imaging process suitablefor such an imaging situation is selected by the user, the CPU 31executes imaging process control according to the imaging mode settingswith the stage of still image imaging from the monitoring period to therecording period. That is to say, the CPU 31 executes various types ofparameter instructions as to the imaging system 2 and camera DSP 4according to the imaging mode selected by the operation of the dialoperating portion 5 b. For example, an instruction is executed, such asthe above shutter speed settings, exposure settings, signal processsettings, or the like.

In the case that such an imaging mode is used, for example, for thecondition determination in step F202 in FIG. 7A, determination is madewhether or not the current imaging mode is a predetermined imaging modedetermined beforehand. That is to say, the current surroundingsituation, a subject serving as a target, or the like is assumedaccording to the imaging mode.

For example, let us say that, of the above imaging modes, predeterminedimaging modes whereby a situation suitable for display regarding thefront display panel 6F can be assumed are the night view and personmode, portrait mode, “soft snap” mode, smiling shutter mode, and thelike. That is to say, the CPU 31 has determined these imaging modes asimaging modes corresponding to the predetermined imaging modes at thetime of condition determination.

These imaging modes are selected in the case of having the objective ofimaging of a person, and accordingly, there is a high possibility that aperson is included as a subject. That is to say, there is a highpossibility that there is a person who can view the display of the frontdisplay panel 6F as a subject.

Therefore, the CPU 31 determines that if the imaging mode is one of thenight view and person mode, portrait mode, “soft snap” mode, and smilingshutter mode, the display conditions of the front display panel 6F aresatisfied.

In the case that the imaging mode is an imaging mode other than those,i.e., the night view mode, scenery mode, high-speed shutter mode, orhigh-sensitivity mode, the imaging mode is assumed to be selected in thecase of having no objective of imaging of a person, or the visibility ofthe front display panel 6F is assumed to be in a poor state.

For example, the night view mode and the scenery mode are intended forscenery imaging, and a situation can be assumed wherein no person isincluded in the subject, or even if a person is included, the personthereof has no primary role within the image. Also, in the case of thenight view mode or high-sensitivity mode, even if there is a person infront, a monitoring image displayed at the time of imaging a dark sceneon the front display panel 6F would result in poor visibility from theperson in front thereof.

Also, a subject in the high-speed shutter mode is a subject in motion.For example, even if a person is the subject, the person is in asituation such as participating in a sporting event, is dancing, or thelike, and accordingly, the person thereof is in no situation tocarefully view the front display panel 6F.

That is to say, in the case of these imaging modes, a situation isassumed wherein there is no person in front, or even if there is aperson in front, the front display panel 6F is displayed with poorvisibility, or the person thereof is not in a state to view the frontdisplay panel 6F.

Therefore, in the case that the imaging mode is one of the night viewmode, scenery mode, high-speed shutter mode, and high-sensitivity mode,the CPU 31 determines with the condition determination that theconditions of the display of the front display panel 6F are notsatisfied.

Note that the above modes are examples, in addition to those, an eveningview mode wherein imaging is executed with settings suitable for eveningview imaging, a macro mode suitable for closeup of subjects such asplants, insects, or the like, a firework mode suitable for imaging offireworks, an underwater mode suitable for imaging under water, or thelike, is provided in some cases. Also, a snow mode wherein imaging isexecuted with settings capable of expressing ski slopes and silvery snowof snow-covered landscapes as they appear to the human eye, a beach modewherein imaging is executed with settings whereby the blue of the seaand sky is highlighted, or the like is provided in some cases.

In these cases as well, it should be set beforehand how to performcondition determination (whether or not the imaging mode is included inthe predetermined imaging modes to execute the display of the frontdisplay panel 6F) according to whether or not there is a person, thevisibility of the display content of the front display panel 6F, and thesituation of a person on the subject side.

Also, examples of condition determining techniques include determinationby the user's setting, besides the above imaging modes. Now, let us saythat the user's setting mentioned here is a setting state according tothe user's operation other than the imaging mode setting, for example,such as flash emission setting, zoom position operation, or the like.

Determination is made for condition determination regarding whether ornot the user setting state other than the current imaging mode is asetting state suitable for the display of the front display panel 6F.

The flash emission setting of the user's settings will be considered asfollows. The flash emission setting is a setting wherein the userselects whether to execute flash emission (flash-on), whether not toexecute flash emission (flash-off), or whether to automatically executeflash emission on/off (flash-auto). In this case, a case where the usersets flash-on is usually a situation in which the surroundings are dark.In the case of a dark situation, a monitoring image during themonitoring period is in a low luminance state, and accordingly, thevisibility of the display of the front display panel 6F can be conceivedto be poor.

Therefore, with regard to the flash emission setting, in the case offlash-on being set, the CPU 31 determines that the conditions as thevisual recognition possibility of the front display panel 6F are notsatisfied.

The zoom position operation setting of the user's settings will beconsidered as follows. The zoom position setting is a zoom positionsetting, for example, in the case of the user operating the wide/teleoperating key 5 c in FIG. 1A to perform a zoom operation.

For example, even if a person has been set as a subject, when the zoomposition is at the tele side (telephoto) exceeding a predeterminedposition, the subject person thereof can be assumed to be positioned faraway from the imaging apparatus 1. It goes without saying that if thesubject person is too far away from the imaging apparatus 1, the personthereof will have difficulty in viewing the display of the front displaypanel 6F suitably.

Therefore, in the case that the zoom position by the user's operation isa position in a telephoto state exceeding a predetermined position, theCPU 31 determines that the conditions as the visual recognitionpossibility of the front display panel 6F are not satisfied.

Note that description has been made so far regarding the flash emissionsetting, and a zoom position operation as the user's settings, but inaddition to the above, a sensitivity setting, exposure setting, shakingcorrection on/off setting, special imaging setting, and the like areassumed as the user's settings. Each of these can also be conceived tobe reflected on condition determination as whether or not a suitablesituation (visual recognition possibility) is assumed regarding behaviorwherein a subject person views the display of the front display panel 6Fsuitably.

Also, determination using internal detection information is an exampleof a condition determining technique. The internal detection informationmentioned here is various types of camera detection information that theimaging apparatus 1 detects internally. The camera detection informationmentioned here is information detected by the internal sensor of theimaging apparatus 1, information that the CPU 31 can recognize inaccordance with the operation control of the imaging apparatus 1, e.g.,external light quantity detection information used for flash control orexposure control, zoom position information, focus information, shakingdetection information, subject distance information, or the like.

As condition determination, the CPU 31 determines whether or not thesituation assumed from the currently obtained camera detectioninformation is a setting state suitable for the display of the frontdisplay panel 6F.

An external light quantity can be detected from the luminance averagevalue of captured image data, a weighted luminance average valueobtained by applying weighting to a portion within a screen, or thelike, and these are commonly used for automatic exposure control, flashemission control in the case of the flash emission setting is auto, orthe like. These luminance values are calculated, for example, at theimage signal processing unit 41 of the camera DSP 4, whereby the CPU 31can obtain the information thereof.

Also, though not shown in FIG. 2, an arrangement may be made wherein anexternal light quantity sensor or the like is provided, and externallight quantity is detected directly.

In the case that the external light quantity detected with thesetechniques is low, a situation can be assumed wherein even if amonitoring image or the like is displayed on the front display panel 6F,the luminance of the screen itself is low, and accordingly, no excellentvisibility can be obtained. Also, when shooting against a brightbackground, where the external light quantity level is too high, asituation can be assumed wherein it will be difficult to visuallyrecognize the display of the front display panel 6F suitably.

Therefore, in the case that the external light quantity is lower than apredetermined level, or determined to be shooting into bright light, theCPU 31 determines that the external light quantity is not in a situationsuitable for image display on the front display panel 6F, i.e.,determines that the conditions as the visual recognition possibility ofthe front display panel 6F are not satisfied.

With regard to the zoom position information, the CPU 31 drives andcontrols the zoom lens according to the user's operation, whereby thezoom position can be detected. Even if a person has been set as asubject, when the zoom position is in the tele side (telephoto)exceeding a predetermined position, the subject person thereof can beassumed to be positioned far away from the imaging apparatus 1. That isto say, the subject person can be assumed not to be capable of viewingthe display of the front display panel 6F suitably.

Therefore, in the case that the zoom position is in the position of atelephoto state exceeding a predetermined position, the CPU 31determines that the conditions as the visual recognition possibility ofthe front display panel 6F are not satisfied.

The subject distance information is the information of distance from theimaging apparatus 1 to a subject. The CPU 31 can obtain the subjectdistance information using the information from the lens positiondetecting unit 27 as described above. For example, even if a person hasbeen set as a subject, in the case that determination can be made thatthe subject person thereof is in a position far away from the imagingapparatus 1, the subject person can be assumed not to be capable ofviewing the display of the front display panel 6F suitably.

Therefore, in the case that the subject is detected to be in a positionfar away exceeding a predetermined position, based on the subjectdistance information, the CPU determines that the conditions as thevisual recognition possibility of the front display panel 6F are notsatisfied.

The focus information is the determination information of a focusedstate used for a process for autofocus at the image signal processingunit 41. In the case of an image wherein a captured image signal is notin a focused state, the CPU 31 has difficulty in displaying a suitablemonitoring image, i.e., an out-of-focus monitoring image is displayed.Therefore, in the case of an out-of-focus state, the CPU 31 determinesthat the conditions as the visual recognition possibility of the frontdisplay panel 6F are not satisfied. Note that this is effectivecondition determination in the case of displaying a monitoring image.

The blurring detection information is the detection information ofshaking, and the motion of the imaging apparatus 1. The CPU 31 canobtain the blurring detection information, for example, as theinformation from the blurring detecting unit 13.

In the case that shaking is great, or in the case that the user ismoving the imaging apparatus 1 to follow a moving subject, or the like,a person in the vicinity thereof has difficulty in visually recognizingthe image on the front display panel 6F suitably. Therefore, in the casethat determination is made that blurring or the motion of the imagingapparatus 1 is great, based on the blurring detection information, theCPU 31 determines that the conditions as the visual recognitionpossibility of the front display panel 6F are not satisfied.

Also, determination using image analysis information is an example of acondition determination technique. The image analysis information isinformation obtained by an image analyzing process that the imageanalyzing unit 44 executes. The image analyzing unit 44 executes theimage analyzing process regarding the captured image data imaged at theimaging system 2 and captured in the camera DSP 4 during the monitoringperiod or the like. For example, the image analyzing unit 44 executesthe image analyzing process regarding the image data of each frameprocessed at the image signal processing unit 41, or the image data of aframe extracted intermittently from the frames processed at the imagesignal processing unit 41.

Information of whether or not a person is included in a subject can beused for condition determination as the image analysis information. Inthis case, the image analyzing unit 44 determines whether or not animage to be recognized as a person is included in the captured imagedata serving as an analyzing target, i.e., determines whether or not anoutline portion to be recognized as a person is included within animage. Subsequently, the image analyzing unit 44 supplies the imageanalysis result thereof to the CPU 31. Therefore, the CPU 31 can confirmwhether or not presence of a person has been recognized as the imageanalysis result thereof.

In the case that presence of a person has been recognized, the CPU 31determines that the conditions as the visual recognition possibility ofthe front display panel 6F are satisfied. Also, in the case thatpresence of a person has not been recognized, the CPU 31 determines thatthe conditions as the visual recognition possibility of the frontdisplay panel 6F are not satisfied.

According to such condition determination, for example, when the user isdirecting the imaging apparatus 1 to a person so as to be the subjectduring the monitoring period, a monitoring image is displayed on thefront display panel 6F. Also, when aiming for a subject not including aperson, such as scenery or the like, the display of the front displaypanel 6F is turned off.

Note that presence of a person who can view the display of the frontdisplay panel 6F has been confirmed according to image analysis, butinstead of image analysis, condition determination may be executed byconfirming the detection result of the proximity sensor 50 shown in FIG.2. Also, both of the image analysis result and the detection result ofthe proximity sensor 50 may be confirmed.

Incidentally, detection of a face may be executed as person detectionaccording to the image analysis. For example, the image analyzing unit44 determines presence of an outline to be recognized as a face, andpresence of a facial element such as the eyes, nose, mouth, or the likefrom captured image data, and determines whether or not a person's faceserving as a subject is included in the captured image data.

Subsequently, in the case that presence of a person's face has beenrecognized as the image analysis result, the CPU 31 determines that theconditions as the visual recognition possibility of the front displaypanel 6F are satisfied. Also, in the case that presence of a person'sface has not been recognized, the CPU 31 determines that the conditionsas the visual recognition possibility of the front display panel 6F arenot satisfied.

Thus, instead of determination of the whole of a person's body, thepresence of a person in front may be confirmed by determination of aface.

Various types of image recognition results can be obtained by other thanperson recognition and face recognition depending on the image analyzingprocess at the image analyzing unit 44. For example, the determinationinformation of an external light quantity can be obtained. Also, therelative motion quantity between the imaging apparatus 1 and the subjectcan be determined according to motion detection of frame comparison,analysis of a blurring quantity for each pixel, or the like.

Further, as the image recognition process in the case that a face imagehas been detected, the size of a face (the percentage of a facialportion occupied within the image of one frame), facial orientation, thedirection in which the eyes of the subject are directed, or the likewithin the screen can also be obtained as analysis results.

Thus, a greater variety of image analysis results may be used forcondition determination.

In the case that an external light quantity is determined for imageanalysis, in the case the external light quantity is low, or excessivelyhigh such as when shooting into bright light or the like, the display onthe front display panel 6F can be assumed not to be recognized suitably,as described above with the camera detection information.

Therefore, in the case that an external light quantity is lower than apredetermined level or determined to be shooting into bright light, theCPU 31 determines that the conditions as the visual recognitionpossibility of the front display panel 6F are not satisfied.

Also, the relative motion quantity between the imaging apparatus 1 andthe subject can be determined to be the image analysis result. That isto say, a case where the imaging apparatus 1 itself is blurred or moving(the user is moving the imaging apparatus 1), or a case where thesubject is moving, or a case where both are moving can be determined.

When the motion quantity in these cases is great, it can be conceivedthat even if there is a person serving as a subject, the subject personthereof will have difficulty in recognizing the front display panel 6Fsuitably.

Therefore, in the case that determination is made that the relativemotion between the imaging apparatus 1 and the subject is great, the CPU31 determines that the conditions as the visual recognition possibilityof the front display panel 6F are not satisfied.

Not only simple face detection but also face size (percentage of afacial portion within the screen) can be determined for image analysis.Though depending on the zoom position state, if a certain fixed zoomstate is considered, the size of a face can serve as an index todetermine the distance from the imaging apparatus 1 to the personserving as a subject. For example, in the case that the zoom state is awide state, but a face is shot small, the person thereof can be assumedto be in the distance.

Therefore, the CPU 31 determines the distance of a subject person basedon the size of a face of the person thereof while taking the zoomposition into consideration. Subsequently, in the case that the personthereof is in the distance, and has difficulty in viewing the displaycontent of the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 determines that theconditions as the visual recognition possibility of the front displaypanel 6F are not satisfied.

Also, facial orientation or the direction in which the eyes of thesubject are directed can also be recognized for image analysis. In thecase that a face is not in the front direction on a captured image, orin the case that the subject is not looking at the imaging apparatus 1,the subject person thereof can be determined not to be viewing theimaging apparatus 1, i.e., the front display panel 6F.

Therefore, the CPU 31 confirms the facial orientation or the directionin which the eyes of the subject are directed. Subsequently, in the casethat determination is made that the person thereof is not viewing thedisplay content of the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 determinesthat the conditions as the visual recognition possibility of the frontdisplay panel 6F are not satisfied.

Examples have been given so far regarding condition determination, butwith an actual visual recognition possibility condition determinationprocess, at least one of these may be employed, or a combination of twoor more may be employed.

It goes without saying that a condition determination process exampleother than the above examples may be conceived, as long as thiscondition determination process can assume a visual recognitionpossibility regarding the display of the front display panel 6F.

With the process in FIG. 7A, the display of the front display panel 6Fis suitably executed according to such a condition determination.

FIG. 7B illustrates another example serving as the process in step F102in FIG. 6. In this case, in step F201 the CPU 31 controls the maindisplay panel 6M to display a monitoring image during the monitoringperiod. Also, in step F205 the CPU 31 turns off the display of the frontdisplay panel 6F. That is to say, with this example, the display of thefront display panel 6F is disabled during the monitoring period.

4-3. Process Examples During Recording Period

Next, process examples during the recording period will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 8A through 9. That is to say, examples of theprocess of the CPU 31 serving as step F105 in FIG. 6 will be described.

The example in FIG. 8A is an example wherein an image serving as arecording process target is not displayed. That is to say, as a processbased on the user's release operation or the like, the CPU 31 transferscaptured image data imaged and captured at release timing to the mediuminterface 10 to record this in the recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33.

Also, during this recording period, the CPU 31 executes control so as toturn off the display of each of the main display panel 6M and frontdisplay panel 6F.

The example in FIG. 8B is an example wherein an image serving as arecording process target is displayed on the main display panel 6M aloneduring the recording period. That is to say, as a process based on theuser's release operation or the like, the CPU 31 records captured imagedata imaged and captured at release timing in the recording medium 90 orflash ROM 33. Subsequently, during this recording period, the CPU 31controls the main display panel 6M to display image data according tothis recording period, and controls the front display panel 6F to turnoff the display. Thus, the user of the imaging apparatus 1 can view acaptured image at the shutter timing.

The example in FIG. 8C is an example wherein an image serving as arecording process target is displayed on the front display panel 6Falone. That is to say, as a process based on the user's releaseoperation or the like, the CPU 31 records captured image data imaged andcaptured at release timing in the recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33.Subsequently, during this recording period, the CPU 31 controls thefront display panel 6F to display image data according to this recordingperiod, and controls the main display panel 6M to turn off the display.Thus, a person serving as a subject can view the captured image at theshutter timing.

The example in FIG. 8D is an example wherein an image serving as arecording process target is displayed on both of the main display panel6M and the front display panel 6F. That is to say, as a process based onthe user's release operation or the like, the CPU 31 records capturedimage data imaged and captured at release timing in the recording mediumor flash ROM 33. Subsequently, during this recording period, the CPU 31controls the main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F todisplay image data according to this recording period. Thus, the user ofthe imaging apparatus 1, and a person serving as a subject, can view thecaptured image at the shutter timing.

FIG. 9 is a process example wherein the case of so-called“half-pressing” is taken into consideration as the user's operationrelating to the release operation key 5 a.

In general, imaging apparatuses such as digital still cameras or thelike, wherein focus control to focus the imaging apparatus on a subjectin a half-pressing state is executed, are in widespread use. FIG. 9 isan example wherein, in the case that such a function has been applied tothe imaging apparatus 1 according to the present example, thehalf-pressing period thereof is included in the recording period.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process wherein, for example, with the process inFIG. 6, step F104 is half-pressing detection. Upon detecting that theuser has half-pressed the release operation key 5 a during themonitoring period in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 advances the process from stepF104 to step F501 in FIG. 9. Subsequently, the CPU 31 executes focuscontrol with the subject image at that time as a target.

The CPU 31 monitors pressing of the release key 5 a in step F502.Specifically, the CPU 31 determines that a release operation has beenperformed when the user pressed the release operation key 5 a from ahalf-pressed state. Note that, though not shown in FIG. 9, in the casethat the user has quit half-pressing without pressing the releaseoperation key 5 a, the CPU 31 should return the process to the processduring the monitoring period in FIG. 6.

During a period wherein half-pressing continues, the CPU 31 repeats theprocesses in steps F503 through F507, and step F501.

First, in step F503, the CPU 31 controls the main display panel 6M todisplay a monitoring image. The current situation is a situation whereinthe user is awaiting a suitable timing in a half-pressed state, andaccordingly, at this time the user has to view a monitoring image on themain display panel 6M.

On the other hand, with regard to the front display panel 6F, first, instep F504 the CPU 31 executes condition determination regarding a visualrecognition possibility relating to the display of the front displaypanel 6F. Condition determination examples are the same as the examplesdescribed above, and the CPU 31 executes, for example, a part or all ofa determination process of the presence of a person at the subject side,a determination process of the imaging mode, a determination processregarding internal detection information, a determination processregarding the image analyzing process result of a captured image signal,and so forth. Thus, the CPU 31 determines that there is a person viewingthe front display panel 6F, that the person thereof is in a visuallyrecognizable situation all the time in the case that the person thereofattempts to view the front display panel 6F, that the person thereofintends to view the front display panel 6F, or the like.

Subsequently, upon determining that there is a visual recognitionpossibility, the CPU 31 advances the process from step F505 to step F506to execute the display control of the monitoring image at the frontdisplay panel 6F.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility, the CPU 31 advances the process from step F505 to step F507to control the front display panel 6F to turn off the display. Forexample, the CPU 31 changes the front display panel 6F to anon-displaying state, or executes power-off control regarding the frontdisplay panel 6F.

That is to say, only in the case that there is a possibility that asubject person views the front display panel 6F, the monitoring image isdisplayed on the front display panel 6F.

Upon detecting that the user has pressed the release operation key 5 a,the CPU 31 proceeds to step F508 to execute the release process.

That is to say, as a process based on the user's release operation orthe like, the CPU 31 transfers captured image data imaged and capturedat release timing to the medium interface 10 to record this in therecording medium 90 or flash ROM 33.

Also, the CPU 31 executes control so as to turn off the display of eachof the main display panel 6M and front display panel 6F.

Note that this step F508 is similar to the above FIG. 8A, but theprocess of FIG. 8B, 8C, or 8D may be executed. As control processesduring the recording period, various examples can be conceived, such asshown in FIG. 8A through FIG. 9.

4-4. Process Examples During Preview Period

Next, process examples during the preview period will be described withreference to FIGS. 10 through 13, i.e., examples of the process of theCPU 31 serving as step F106 in FIG. 6 described above will be described.

FIG. 10 is an example wherein preview display is executed on the maindisplay panel 6M for a given length of time during the preview period,and with regard to the front display panel 6F, preview display isexecuted according to the conditions.

Upon the above process during the recording period being completed,subsequently the CPU 31 executes the process in FIG. 10 as step F106 inFIG. 6. First, in step F601 the CPU 31 executes condition determinationregarding a visual recognition possibility relating to the display ofthe front display panel 6F. In the same way as described above, the CPU31 executes a part or all of a determination process of the presence ofa person at the subject side, a determination process of the imagingmode, a determination process regarding internal detection information,a determination process regarding the image analyzing process result ofa captured image signal, and so forth.

Thus, the CPU 31 determines that there is a person who viewing the frontdisplay panel 6F, that the person thereof is in a visually recognizablesituation all the time in the case that the person thereof attempts toview the front display panel 6F, that the person thereof intends to viewthe front display panel 6F, or the like.

Subsequently, upon determining that there is a visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process from step F602 to step F604 to execute preview displaycontrol regarding both of the main display panel 6M and the frontdisplay panel 6F. That is to say, the CPU 31 controls both of the maindisplay panel 6M and the front display panel 6F to display the imagedata recorded in the immediately previous process during the recordingperiod.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process from step F602 to step F603 to execute preview displaycontrol on the main display panel 6M, and control the front displaypanel 6F to turn off the display. Thus, the image data recorded in theimmediately previous process during the recording period is displayed onthe main display panel 6M alone.

The preview display started in step F604 or F603 is continued untilcertain display time has elapsed in step F605. For example, let us saythat the certain display time is several seconds or so. The CPU 31 hasexecuted counting of time since the point in time when preview displaywas started in step F604 or F603, and monitors the elapse of the certainperiod of time in step F605.

Subsequently, upon the certain period of time having elapsed, the CPU 31ends the preview display in step F606.

Now, the process in step F106 in FIG. 6 is ended, and the CPU 31 returnsto step F101 in FIG. 6 to resume the process during the monitoringperiod.

According to the process in FIG. 10, preview display is constantlyexecuted on the main display panel 6M for a certain period of time, andpreview display is executed on the front display panel 6F for a certainperiod of time in a situation assumed that there is a viewer.

Next, the process example in FIG. 11 will be described. This FIG. 11 isa process example wherein preview display is executed on the frontdisplay panel 6F alone for a certain period of time. Note that, in FIG.11, a process equivalent to the preview process in step F106 in FIG. 6is step F610 alone, step F101 is described as step F101 in FIG. 6, andsteps F201, F210, F205 are described as the process in step F102 in FIG.6.

Upon the above process during the recording period being ended, the CPU31 executes the process in step F610 in FIG. 11 as step F106 in FIG. 6.That is to say, the CPU 31 controls the front display panel 6F toexecute preview display regarding the image data recorded in theimmediately previous process during the recording period.

Subsequently, the CPU 31 proceeds to step F101 to resume the processduring the monitoring period. Subsequently, in step F201 the CPU 31controls the main display panel 6M to display the monitoring image.Consequently, the monitoring image is displayed on the main displaypanel 6M, and preview display is executed on the front display panel 6F.

Also, the CPU 31 has executed counting of time since the point in timewhen preview display was started in step F610, and monitors the elapseof the certain period of time in step F210. Subsequently, upon thecertain period of time having elapsed, the CPU 31 ends the previewdisplay of the front display panel 6F in step F205.

As described in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 repeats the process in step F102while executing the monitoring process in steps F103 and F104.Accordingly, in the case of FIG. 11 as well, in the event that neither aplayback instruction (F103) nor a release operation (F104) have beendetected, the CPU 31 repeats the process in steps F201, F210, and F205while returning for step F104 to step F201.

Consequently, according to the process in FIG. 11, immediately afterpreview display is started on the front display panel 6F during thepreview period, the process during the monitoring period is executed,and the display of the monitoring image is started on the main displaypanel 6M. Subsequently, upon the preview display on the front displaypanel 6F being executed for a certain period of time, the previewdisplay on the front display panel 6F is ended, and the display of thefront display panel 6F is turned off.

Accordingly, the user of the imaging apparatus 1 can immediately viewthe monitoring image without viewing the preview display, and canproceed to preparation for the next still image recording, and also asubject person can confirm a still image where the subject personthereof is shot for a certain period of time.

Note that, as a modification of this process, an arrangement may be madewherein after the preview display on the front display panel 6F isended, the process in steps F202 through F205 in FIG. 7A is executed,and the monitoring image is displayed on the front display panel 6Faccording to conditions.

Next, the process example in FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 12 is anexample wherein preview display is executed on both display panels 6Mand 6F, but the preview display on the front display panel 6F isexecuted longer.

Note that, in FIG. 12, a process equivalent to the preview process instep F106 in FIG. 6 is steps F620 and F621, step F101 is described asstep F101 in FIG. 6, and steps F201 through F205 and F220 are describedas the process in step F102 in FIG. 6.

Upon the above process during the recording period being ended, the CPU31 executes the process in step F620 in FIG. 12 as step F106 in FIG. 6.That is to say, the CPU 31 controls both of the main display panel 6Mand the front display panel 6F to execute preview display regarding theimage data recorded in the immediately previous process during therecording period.

The CPU 31 has executed counting of time since the point in time whenpreview display was started in step F620. Subsequently, the CPU 31monitors the elapse of a certain period of time in step F621. However,in this case, the CPU 31 monitors the elapse of a predetermined periodof time T1 serving as the preview display on the main display panel 6M.

The preview display on both display panels 6M and 6F is continued as thepreview period until the predetermined period of time T1 elapses.

Upon the predetermined period of time T1 having elapsed, the CPU 31proceeds from step F621 to step F101 to resume the process during themonitoring period. Note that the CPU 31 continues counting of timewithout interruption.

Subsequently, in step F201 the CPU 31 controls the main display panel 6Mto display the monitoring image. Accordingly, the main display panel 6Mis switched from the preview display to the monitoring image display,and on the other hand, the front display panel 6F continues the previewdisplay.

After proceeding to the monitoring period, in step F220 the CPU 31monitors the elapse of a certain period of time regarding counting oftime since the preview display was started in step F620 described above.In this case, the CPU 31 monitors the elapse of a predetermined periodof time T2 (T1<T2) serving as the preview display on the front displaypanel 6F.

As described in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 repeats the process in step F102while executing the monitoring process in steps F103 and F104.Accordingly, in the case of FIG. 12 as well, if neither a playbackinstruction (F103) nor a release operation (F104) have been detected,the CPU 31 returns from step F104 to step F201, and repeats steps F220,and F202 through F205.

Therefore, even after entering the monitoring period, the preview on thefront display panel 6F is continued until the elapse of thepredetermined period of time T2 is determined in step F220.

Subsequently, after the elapse of the predetermined period of time T2,the CPU 31 executes the process in steps F202 through F205 in FIG. 12 asthe process in step F102.

That is to say, in step F202 the CPU 31 executes condition determinationregarding a visual recognition possibility relating to the display onthe front display panel 6F. The CPU 31 executes, for example, a part orall of a determination process of the presence of a person at thesubject side, a determination process of the imaging mode, adetermination process regarding internal detection information, adetermination process regarding the image analyzing process result of acaptured image signal, and so forth.

Subsequently, upon determining that there is a visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process to step F204 from step F203 to execute monitoring imagedisplay control on the front display panel 6F.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process to step F205 from step F203 to control the front displaypanel 6F to turn off the display.

Consequently, according to the process in FIG. 12, the preview displayis executed on both display panels 6M and 6F as the preview period.Subsequently, the preview display on the main display panel 6M is endedfirst, the CPU 31 proceeds to the process during the monitoring period,and the display of the main display panel 6M is changed to themonitoring image.

With the front display panel 6F, even after entering the monitoringperiod, the preview display is continued until the elapse of a certainamount of time T2. Subsequently, after the preview display is ended, themonitoring image is displayed on the front display panel 6F, or thedisplay thereof is turned off, depending on the visual recognitionpossibility.

Accordingly, immediately after the user of the imaging apparatus 1confirms the preview display for a short of period, the user can viewthe monitoring image, and can proceed to preparation for the next stillimage recording. Consequently, a subject person can view a still imagewhere the person thereof is shot for a relatively long period of time.

Note that, as a modification of this process, an arrangement may be madewherein, after the preview display on the front display panel 6F isended, the display of the front display panel 6F is turned off forciblyduring the monitoring period.

Next, the process example in FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 13 is anexample wherein the preview display is executed on both display panels6M and 6F, but the preview display is ended by the user's operationduring the preview period, and also the preview display on the frontdisplay panel 6F is executed for a longer period of time.

Note that, in FIG. 13, a process equivalent to the preview process instep F106 in FIG. 6 is steps F630 and F631, step F101 is described asstep F101 in FIG. 6, and steps F201 through F205 and F220 are describedas the process in step F102 in FIG. 6.

Upon ending the above process during the recording period, the CPU 31executes the process in step F630 in FIG. 13 as step F106 in FIG. 6.That is to say, the CPU 31 controls both of the main display panel 6Mand the front display panel 6F to execute the preview display regardingthe image data recorded in the immediately previous process during therecording period.

In step F631, the CPU 31 monitors whether or not an instructingoperation used for ending the preview display has been performed as theuser's operation.

The preview display on both display panels 6M and 6F is continued as thepreview period until an operation used for ending the preview display isperformed.

Upon detecting a preview display ending operation, the CPU 31 proceedsto step F101 from step F631 to resume the process during the monitoringperiod. Subsequently, in step F201 the CPU 31 controls the main displaypanel 6M to display the monitoring image.

Accordingly, the main display panel 6M is changed from the previewdisplay to the monitoring image display, and on the other hand, thepreview display is continued on the front display panel 6F.

After proceeding to the monitoring period, in step F220 the CPU 31monitors the elapse of a certain period of time regarding counting oftime since the preview display was started in step F630 described above.Alternatively, the CPU 31 may start counting of time at the time ofproceeding to the monitoring period.

As described in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 repeats the process in step F102while executing the monitoring process in steps F103 and F104.Accordingly, in the case of FIG. 13 as well, if neither a playbackinstruction (F103) nor a release operation (F104) have been detected,the CPU 31 returns from step F104 to step F201, and repeats steps F220,and F202 through F205. Therefore, even after entering the monitoringperiod, the preview on the front display panel 6F is continued until theelapse of a certain period of time is determined in step F220.

Subsequently, after the elapse of the certain period of time, the CPU 31executes the process in steps F202 through F205 in FIG. 13 as theprocess in step F102.

That is to say, in step F202 the CPU 31 executes condition determinationregarding a visual recognition possibility relating to the display onthe front display panel 6F. The CPU 31 executes, for example, a part orall of a determination process of the presence of a person at thesubject side, a determination process of the imaging mode, adetermination process regarding internal detection information, adetermination process regarding the image analyzing process result of acaptured image signal, and so forth.

Subsequently, upon determining that there is a visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process to step F204 from step F203 to execute monitoring imagedisplay control on the front display panel 6F.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process to step F205 from step F203 to control the front displaypanel 6F to turn off the display.

Consequently, according to the process in FIG. 13, the preview displayis executed on both display panels 6M and 6F as the preview period untilthe user's operation to end the preview display is performed.

Subsequently, upon the user's operation to end the preview display beingperformed, the preview display on the main display panel 6M is ended,the CPU 31 proceeds to the process during the monitoring period, and thedisplay of the main display panel 6M is changed to the monitoring image.

With the front display panel 6F, even after entering the monitoringperiod, the preview display is continued until the elapse of a certainperiod of time. Subsequently, after the preview display is ended, themonitoring image is displayed on the front display panel 6F, or thedisplay thereof is turned off, depending on the visual recognitionpossibility.

Accordingly, the user of the imaging apparatus 1 can confirm the previewdisplay for an arbitrary period of time. Subsequently, the user ends thepreview display depending on his own will, whereby the user can view themonitoring image at this time, and can proceed to preparation for thenext still image recording. Even after proceeding to the monitoringperiod, a subject person can confirm a still image where the personthereof is shot for a certain period of time.

Note that, as a modification of this process, an arrangement may be madewherein, after the preview display on the front display panel 6F isended, the display of the front display panel 6F is turned off forciblyduring the monitoring period.

Also, there is a possibility that the user has not performed a previewdisplay ending operation everlastingly, and accordingly, a processexample may also be conceived wherein, upon detecting no operation for acertain long period of time in step F631, the CPU 31 proceeds to themonitoring period automatically.

4-5. Process Examples During Playback Period

Next, process examples during the playback period will be described withreference to FIGS. 14A through 15. That is to say, examples of theprocess of the CPU 31 serving as step F107 in FIG. 6 described abovewill be described.

FIG. 14A is an example wherein playback display is executed on the maindisplay panel 6M alone during the playback period. In the case ofproceeding to step F107 in FIG. 6, in step F701 in FIG. 14A the CPU 31controls the front display panel 6F to turn off the display.

Subsequently, in step F702 the CPU 31 executes data readout control fromthe recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33 in response to the user'soperation to controls the main display panel 6M to play and display theread image data. That is to say, this example is an example wherein thefront display panel 6F is not used regarding playback display.

FIG. 14B is an example wherein playback display is also executed on thefront display panel 6F in some cases. In the case of proceeding to stepF107 in FIG. 6, in step F710 in FIG. 14B the CPU 31 executes conditiondetermination regarding a visual recognition possibility relating to thedisplay of the front display panel 6F. The CPU 31 executes, for example,a part or all of a determination process of the presence of a person atthe subject side, a determination process of the imaging mode, adetermination process regarding internal detection information, adetermination process regarding the image analyzing process result of acaptured image signal, and so forth.

Subsequently, upon determining that there is a visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process to step F713 from step F711 to execute data readout controlfrom the recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33 in response to the user'soperation. Subsequently, the CPU 31 controls both of the main displaypanel 6M and the front display panel 6F to execute playback display.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process to step F712 from step F711 to execute data readout controlfrom the recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33 in response to the user'soperation. Subsequently, the CPU 31 controls the main display panel 6Mto execute playback display, and controls the front display panel 6F toturn off the display. Thus, a playback image is displayed on the maindisplay panel 6M alone.

Thus, in the case of assuming that the display of the front displaypanel 6F is effective, the CPU 31 also controls the front display panel6F to display the playback image. Thus, a person in the front side canalso enjoy the playback image.

The process in FIG. 15 is an example wherein a playback image isdisplayed on both display panels 6M and 6F during the playback period,but the display of the main display panel 6M and the display of thefront display panel 6F differs.

In the case of proceeding to step F107 in FIG. 6, in step F720 in FIG.15 the CPU 31 executes playback display control on the main displaypanel 6M. That is to say, the CPU 31 executes data readout control fromthe recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33 in response to the user'soperation to play and display the read image data on the main displaypanel 6M.

Subsequently, with regard to the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31branches the process depending on the playback display state on the maindisplay panel 6M.

As playback image display on the main display panel 6M, the display modeis changed in response to the user's operation. For example, one imageis changed at a time in response to the user's operation, or a listserving as thumbnail images is displayed in some cases.

In step F721, the CPU 31 branches the process depending on whether athumbnail list of playback images or a single image is displayed on themain display panel 6M.

In the case that a single playback image is now displayed on the maindisplay panel 6M, the CPU 31 advances the process to step F722 toinstruct the display controller 7 to display the same playback imagedata on the front display panel 6F as well. In this case, the displaystates of the main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F arestates such as shown in FIG. 5C.

On the other hand, in the case that a thumbnail list is now displayed onthe main display panel 6M, the CPU 31 advances the process to step F723.In this case, the CPU 31 instructs the display controller 7 to displayon the front display panel 6F playback image data selected by the cursorK on the thumbnail list display. In this case, the display states of themain display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F are states such asshown in FIG. 5B.

By the CPU 31 executing such a process, a person in the front side canalso view on the front display panel 6F side simultaneously.Accordingly, the user of the imaging apparatus 1, and the person in thefront side can enjoy a playback image.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the case that a thumbnail list isdisplayed on the main display panel 6M, the user of the imagingapparatus 1 moves the cursor K, whereby a person in the front side canview the selected playback image on the front display panel 6F side.

Note that, as a modification of the process in FIG. 15, for example, anarrangement may be made wherein the same process as steps F202 throughF205 in FIG. 7A is executed before step F721 in FIG. 15, and playbackdisplay in step F722 or F723 is executed on the front display panel 6Faccording to conditions.

4-6. Process Examples During Moving Image Recording Period

The process during each operation period in the case of executingimaging of a still image at the imaging apparatus 1 has been describedso far. A case can be assumed wherein recording of a moving image isexecuted at the imaging apparatus 1, and accordingly, process examplesin the case of moving image recording will be described here.

FIG. 16 is a process example according to the transition of eachoperation period in the case of executing recording of a moving image.Steps F101 through F103, F107, and F108 are the same as those in FIG. 6.The process (F104 through F106) as the operation process relating torecording of a still image in FIG. 6 is shown in steps F150 through F153in FIG. 16 serving as the process relating to recording of a movingimage.

The monitoring period is a period in a standby state until recording ofa moving image is started, but a monitoring image is displayed as stepF102. In this case, for example, a process such as shown in FIG. 7A or7B is executed.

During the monitoring period, in response to the user's recording startoperation, the CPU 31 proceeds to step F151 from step F150 to execute amoving image recording process and display control under recording. Theprocess in step F151 is continued until the user performs a recordingstop operation, or until recording is determined to be stopped due torecording no longer being capable owing to a capacity-full state of therecording medium 90 or the like.

Upon recording being stopped by the user's operation or the like, theCPU 31 proceeds to step F153 from step F152 to execute a moving imageending process, and returns to step F101 to resume the operation of themonitoring period.

Now, the process examples in step F151 will be shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B,and 17C.

FIG. 17A is an example wherein image display during recording of amoving image is also executed on the front display panel 6F depending onthe situation. In the case of proceeding to step F151 in FIG. 16, theCPU 31 executes a moving image recording process in step F800 in FIG.17A. That is to say, the CPU 31 executes a process wherein the capturedimage data of each frame obtained at the imaging system 2 and camera DSP4 is subjected to a predetermined compression encoding process or thelike, and this is recorded in the recording medium 90 or flash ROM 33 asa moving image.

At the time of this moving image recording process, in step F801 the CPU31 executes moving image display control on the main display panel 6M.That is to say, the CPU 31 controls the main display panel 6M to executemoving image display serving as a monitor image under recording.

The CPU 31 executes steps F802 through F805 with regard to the frontdisplay panel 6F.

In step F802, the CPU 31 executes condition determination regarding avisual recognition possibility relating to the display of the frontdisplay panel 6F. The CPU 31 executes, for example, a part or all of adetermination process of the presence of a person at the subject side, adetermination process of the imaging mode, a determination processregarding internal detection information, a determination processregarding the image analyzing process result of a captured image signal,and so forth.

Upon determining that there is a visual recognition possibilityregarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advances the processfrom step F803 to step F804 to execute moving image display serving as amonitoring image under recording on the front display panel 6F. That isto say, in this case, moving image monitor display is executed on bothof the main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no visual recognitionpossibility regarding the front display panel 6F, the CPU 31 advancesthe process from step F803 to step F805 so as to control the frontdisplay panel 6F to turn off the display. Thus, moving image monitordisplay is displayed on the main display panel 6M alone.

Thus, in the case that the display on the front display panel 6F isassumed to be effective, moving image display under recording is alsoexecuted on the front display panel 6F. Thus, a person in the front sidecan also view the monitor image of the recorded moving image.

FIG. 17B is an example wherein monitor image display under moving imagerecording is executed on both display panels 6M and 6F. In the case ofproceeding to step F151 in FIG. 16, the CPU 31 executes a moving imagerecording process in step F810 in FIG. 17B, i.e., executes a processwherein the captured image data of each frame obtained at the imagingsystem 2 and camera DSP 4 is subjected to a predetermined compressionencoding process or the like to record this in the recording medium 90or flash ROM 33 as a moving image.

Subsequently, at the time of this moving image recording process, instep F811 the CPU 31 executes moving image display control as to themain display panel 6M and the front display panel 6F, i.e., controlsboth display panels 6M and 6F to display a moving image serving as amonitor image under recording.

FIG. 17C is an example wherein monitor image display under recording ofa moving image is executed on the main display panel 6M alone. In thecase of proceeding to step F151 in FIG. 16, the CPU 31 executes a movingimage recording process in step F820 in FIG. 17C, i.e., executes aprocess wherein the captured image data of each frame obtained at theimaging system 2 and camera DSP 4 is subjected to a predeterminedcompression encoding process or the like to record this in the recordingmedium 90 or flash ROM 33 as a moving image.

Subsequently, in step F821 the CPU 31 controls the front display panel6F to turn off the display, and in step F822 executes moving imagedisplay control at the main display panel 6M, i.e., prevents the frontdisplay panel 6F from being used regarding moving image display servingas a monitor image under recording.

For example, in the case of executing recording of a moving image,display control example can be conceived, such as the above FIGS. 17A,17B, and 17C.

5. TRANSITION EXAMPLES OF DISPLAY STATE

The control examples relating to the display on the main display panel6M and the front display panel 6F have been described regarding themonitoring period, still image recording period, preview period,playback period, and moving image recording period.

With the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present example, a seriesof still image imaging operation, playback operation, and moving imagerecording operation are executed while each operation period of thosechanges. Subsequently, with each operation period, one of the aboveprocess examples is employed, whereby display effective for both displaypanels 6M and 6F is realized.

FIGS. 18 and 19 exemplify the display states on both display panels 6Mand 6F accompanying the transition of an operation period as examples #1through #8.

The examples #1 through #5 illustrate a display state example in thecase that the operation period changes, such as monitoring period→stillimage recording period→preview period→monitoring period, i.e., in thecase that recording of a still image is executed according to monitoringperiod→still image recording period→preview period, and then during themonitoring period the monitoring period is proceeded to the playbackperiod by the user's operation or the like.

First, the example #1 shown in FIG. 18 is a case where the process inFIG. 7A serving as the process during the monitoring period, the processin FIG. 8A serving as the process during the still image recordingperiod, the process in FIG. 10 serving as the process during the previewperiod, and the process in FIG. 14A serving as the process during theplayback period are employed.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitoring image display isconstantly executed during the monitoring period, the display is turnedoff for just a moment serving as the still image recording period, andpreview display is executed for a predetermined period of time duringthe preview period.

With regard to the front display panel 6F, monitoring image display isexecuted during the monitoring period in the case that assumption ismade that there is a visual recognition possibility, but in the casethat assumption is made that there is no visual recognition possibility,the display is turned off, thereby preventing wasteful display frombeing executed. The display is turned off for just a moment serving asthe still image recording period, preview display is executed for apredetermined period of time during the preview period in the case thatthere is a visual recognition possibility, but in the case that there isno visual recognition possibility, preview display is not executed.Also, playback display is not executed during the playback period.

That is to say, this example #1 is an example wherein, with regard tothe front display panel 6F, monitoring image display and preview displayare executed according to visual recognition possibility conditions.

The example #2 is a case where the process in FIG. 7B serving as theprocess during the monitoring period, the process in FIG. 8B serving asthe process during the still image recording period, the process in FIG.10 serving as the process during the preview period, and the process inFIG. 14B serving as the process during the playback period are employed.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitoring image display isconstantly executed during the monitoring period, the display of arecorded still image is executed from the still image recording periodto the preview period, and playback display is executed during theplayback period.

With regard to the front display panel 6F, the display is turned offduring the monitoring period. The display is still turned off during thestill image recording period. Preview display is executed for apredetermined period of time in the case that there is a visualrecognition possibility, but in the case that there is no visualrecognition possibility, preview display is not executed. Also, duringthe playback period, playback display is not executed according toregarding whether or not there is a visual recognition possibility, orthe display is turned off.

That is to say, this example #2 is an example wherein, with regard tothe front display panel 6F, display regarding a recorded still image orplayback image is executed according to visual recognition possibilityconditions.

The example #3 is a case where the process in F102 in FIG. 11 serving asthe process during the monitoring period, the process in FIG. 8C servingas the process during the still image recording period, the process inF106 in FIG. 11 serving as the process during the preview period, andthe process in FIG. 15 serving as the process during the playback periodare employed.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitoring image display isconstantly executed during the monitoring period. The display is notexecuted during the still image recording period and the preview period,but the display is momentarily turned off during the still imagerecording period and the preview period as viewed from the user, andimmediately the operation period proceeds to the monitoring period,where monitoring image display is executed. Also, during the playbackperiod, playback display is executed in a format such as single imagedisplay or thumbnail list display or the like.

With regard to the front display panel 6F, the display is turned offduring the monitoring period. A still image to be recorded is displayedduring the still image recording period, and the image thereof is alsocontinued during the preview period. In this case, preview display iscontinued even in the case of proceeding to the monitoring period. Uponpreview display for a certain period of time being ended, the display isturned off. Also, during the playback period, a single image similar tothe main display panel 6M, or a single image under selection in the casethat a thumbnail list image is displayed on the main display panel 6M isdisplayed.

That is to say, this example #3 is an example wherein, with the maindisplay panel 6M, preview of a recorded image is prevented from beingexecuted, and with the front display panel 6F, monitoring image displayis not executed, a recorded still image (preview image) or playbackimage is displayed.

The example #4 is a case where the process in F102 in FIG. 12 serving asthe process during the monitoring period, the process in FIG. 8D servingas the process during the still image recording period, the process inF106 in FIG. 12 serving as the process during the preview period, andthe process in FIG. 14B serving as the process during the playbackperiod are employed.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitoring image display isconstantly executed during the monitoring period. The display of arecorded still image is displayed from the still image recording periodto the preview period. Upon the preview period being ended, theoperation period proceeds to the monitoring period, where monitoringimage display is executed. Also, during the playback period playbackdisplay is executed.

With regard to the front display panel 6F, during the monitoring period,monitoring image display is executed, or the display is turned off,depending on whether or not there is a visual recognition possibility. Arecorded still image is displayed from the still image recording periodto the preview period. In this case, preview display is executed for alonger period than the main display panel 6M. That is to say, even inthe event of proceeding to the monitoring period, preview display iscontinued for a certain period of time. After preview display is ended,monitoring image display is executed, or the display is turned off,depending on whether or not there is a visual recognition possibility.Also, during the playback period, playback display is executed, or thedisplay is turned off, depending on whether or not there is a visualrecognition possibility.

This example #4 is an example wherein, with the front display panel 6M,preview display is executed as long as possible, and monitoring imagedisplay and playback display are executed depending on visualrecognition possibility conditions.

The example #5 shown in FIG. 19 is a case where the process in F102 inFIG. 13 serving as the process during the monitoring period, the processin FIG. 9 serving as the process during the still image recordingperiod, the process in F106 in FIG. 13 serving as the process during thepreview period, and the process in FIG. 15 serving as the process duringthe playback period are employed.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitoring image display isconstantly executed during the monitoring period. Monitoring imagedisplay is continued while half-pressing during the still imagerecording period. The display is turned off at the time of the releaseprocess. During the preview period, preview display is continued untilthe user performs a preview display end operation. Also, during theplayback period, playback display is executed in a format such as singleimage display or thumbnail list display or the like.

With regard to the front display panel 6F, during the monitoring period,monitoring image display is executed, or the display is turned off,depending on whether or not there is a visual recognition possibility.The display operation depending on conditions is also continued duringhalf-pressing during the still image recording period. The display isturned off at the time of the release process. During the previewperiod, preview display is executed, but even in the event of proceedingto the monitoring period, preview display is continued. Upon previewdisplay for a certain period of time being ended, the front displaypanel 6F returns to the state of monitoring image display depending onwhether or not there is a visual recognition possibility. Also, duringthe playback period, a single image similar to the main display panel6M, or a single image selected in the case that the display of the maindisplay panel 6M is a thumbnail list image, is displayed.

That is to say, this example #5 is an example wherein, with the maindisplay panel 6M, preview of a recorded image is ended by the user'soperation, but even in the event that the preview period is ended andproceeds to the monitoring period, preview display is continued on thefront display panel 6F for a certain period of time.

The examples #6 through #8 illustrate a display state example in thecase that the operation period changes such as monitoring period→movingimage recording period→monitoring period→playback period, i.e., a casewhere recording of a moving image is executed according to monitoringperiod→moving image recording period, and then during the monitoringperiod, the monitoring period is proceeded to the playback period by theuser's operation or the like.

The example #6 is a case where the process in FIG. 7A serving as theprocess during the monitoring period, the process in FIG. 17A serving asthe process during the moving image recording period, and the process inFIG. 14B serving as the process during the playback period are employed.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitoring image display isconstantly executed during the monitoring period. Also, during themoving image recording period, monitor image display under recording isalso executed. Also, during the playback period, playback display isexecuted.

With regard to the front display panel 6F, during the monitoring periodmonitoring image monitoring image display is executed, or the display isturned off, depending on whether or not there is a visual recognitionpossibility. During the moving image recording period as well, monitordisplay under recording is executed, or the display is turned off,depending on whether or not there is a visual recognition possibility.Also, during the playback period as well, playback display is executed,or the display is turned off, depending on whether or not there is avisual recognition possibility.

That is to say, this example #6 is an example wherein, with regard tothe front display panel 6F, monitoring image display, recording monitordisplay, and playback display are executed constantly depending onvisual recognition possibility conditions.

The example #7 is a case where the process in FIG. 7A serving as theprocess during the monitoring period, the process in FIG. 17B serving asthe process during the moving image recording period, and the process inFIG. 14B serving as the process during the playback period are employed.Other than the moving image recording period is similar to the example#6.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitor image display underrecording is also executed during the moving image recording period.With the front display panel 6F as well, monitor display under recordingis constantly executed during the moving image recording period.

That is to say, this example #7 is an example wherein recording monitordisplay is also executed on the front display panel 6F constantly duringrecording of a moving image.

The example #8 is a case where the process in FIG. 7A serving as theprocess during the monitoring period, the process in FIG. 17C serving asthe process during the moving image recording period, and the process inFIG. 14B serving as the process during the playback period are employed.Other than the moving image recording period is similar to the example#6.

With regard to the main display panel 6M, monitor image display underrecording is also executed during the moving image recording period.With the front display panel 6F, the display is turned off during themoving image recording period.

That is to say, this example #8 is an example wherein recording monitordisplay is not executed on the front display panel 6F during recordingof a moving image.

The transition examples of a display state accompanied with thetransition of the recording period have been described as the examples#1 through #8 so far, but it goes without saying that various types ofdisplay process examples can be conceived other than these examples.

With the processes described as FIGS. 6 through 17C, one (or amodification) of FIGS. 7A and 7B, F102 in FIG. 11, F102 in FIG. 12, andF102 in FIG. 13 can be employed as the process during the monitoringperiod.

One (or a modification) of FIGS. 8A through 8D, and FIG. 9 can beemployed as the process during the still image recording period.

One (or a modification) of FIG. 10, F106 in FIG. 11, F106 in FIG. 12,and F106 in FIG. 13 can be employed as the process during the previewperiod.

One (or a modification) of FIGS. 14A and 14B, and FIG. 15 can beemployed as the process during the playback period.

One (or a modification) of FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C can be employed asthe process during the moving image recording period.

That is to say, those process examples are combined, whereby atransition example of the display state according to operationtransition is assumed variously.

With the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, thedisplay states of the main display panel 6M and the front display panel6F are controlled for each type of operation period that changes at astage of operation, such as the above examples #1 through #8.

For example, at the time of proceeding to the monitoring period, stillimage recording period, preview period, playback period, moving imagerecording period, or the like, the display states are controlledaccording to the purpose of display, presence of a person viewing thedisplay, or the like.

Particularly, during at least one or more operation periods, displaycontrol is executed whereby the main display panel 6M and the frontdisplay panel 6F may have different display content. The differentdisplay content mentioned here means a state in which a different imageis displayed on both display panels, or state in which the display ofone of the display panels is turned off, and that may have differentdisplay content means that both display panels have different displaycontent according to, for example, the results of conditiondetermination.

For example, with the example #1, during the monitoring period and thepreview period, the main display panel 6M and the front display panel 6Fmay have different display content. Also, during the payback period bothdisplay panels have different display content. With the other examples#2 through #8 as well, during at least one or more operation periods,display control is executed whereby the main display panel 6M and thefront display panel 6F may have different display content.

Such control is executed, whereby suitable display, useful display,avoidance of wasteful display, or the like is realized on each displaypanel for each operation period.

6. MODIFICATION EXAMPLES

The various types of process examples, and modifications serving asembodiments have been described so far, but further variousmodifications can be conceived as embodiments of the present invention.

With the above examples, with regard to the front display panel 6F, forexample, in the case that visual recognition possibility conditions arenot satisfied, the display is turned off. However, an example may beconceived wherein, in such a case, instead of turning off the display,the front display panel 6F is changed to a low-intensity display state,or a playback image or preset image is displayed.

For example, in the case that the process in FIG. 7A proceeds to stepF205, a monitoring image is displayed in a state in which displayluminance is decreased on the front display panel 6F. For example, inthe case that a display device made up of self emitting elements such asan organic EL panel is used as the front display panel 6F, decrease indisplay luminance is useful for reduction in consumption power.Accordingly, when visual recognition possibility conditions are notsatisfied due to that there is no person in front, that visibility istoo bad to view display, or the like, display luminance is decreased,whereby reduction in consumption power is realized.

Also, for example, in the case that the process in FIG. 7A proceeds tostep F205, an image unrelated to a monitoring image, such as a presetimage, playback image, or the like, is displayed on the front displaypanel 6F. For example, even in the case that assumption is made thatthere is no person serving as a subject in front, or that visibility istoo bad to view display, there are many situations wherein there is aperson nearby. Also, there is a case where a person is in a situationwherein the person can readily view the display of the front displaypanel 6F, depending on the position of the person thereof.

For a person who is present in those circumferences, the display on thefront display panel 6F can be recognized as a part of the external viewdesign of the imaging apparatus 1, which would be interesting.

Also, in such a case, the user can select an image to be displayed onthe front display panel 6F, whereby the user can set the external viewof his imaging apparatus 1 arbitrarily, and accordingly, the user canenjoy camera use in more ways.

These processes can be conceived as a modification of the process in thecase that the display of the front display panel 6F is turned off inFIGS. 8A and 8B, and a modification of the process in the case that thedisplay of the front display panel 6F is turned off in steps F507 andF508 in FIG. 9. Similarly, these processes can also be applied to stepF603 in FIG. 10, step F205 in FIG. 11, step F205 in FIG. 12, step F205in FIG. 13, step F701 in FIG. 14A, step F713 in FIG. 14B, step F805 inFIG. 17A, and step F821 in FIG. 17C.

Also, for example, an arrangement may be made wherein, in the case thatcommon monitoring image display or common preview display or the like isnot executed on the front display panel 6F, the user can select whetherto turn off the display of the front display panel 6F, whether to setthe display of the front display panel 6F to low-intensity display, orwhether to display a playback image or preset image on the front displaypanel 6F.

With the present example, an apparatus generally called a digital stillcamera has been exemplified as the imaging apparatus 1, but anembodiment of the present invention can be applied to various types ofapparatuses, for example, such as video cameras, cellular phones havingimaging functions, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), and so forth.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a first display panel unitconfigured to execute display toward a user side, disposed on anapparatus casing; a second display panel unit configured to executedisplay toward a subject side, disposed on said apparatus casing; animaging processing unit configured to subject incident light from saidsubject side to photoelectric conversion to obtain a captured imagesignal; a recording processing unit configured to execute a recordingprocess to a recording medium regarding the captured image signalobtained at said imaging processing unit; and a control unit configuredto control the display states of said first display panel unit and saidsecond display panel unit for each of a plurality of various types ofoperation periods changing along with the operation of said imagingprocessing unit or said recording processing unit, and execute displaycontrol wherein said first display panel unit and said second displaypanel unit can have different display content during at least a singleoperation period.
 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, saidoperation periods that change including: a monitoring period arranged toexecute monitoring display of the captured image signal obtained at saidimaging processing unit without executing a recording process at saidrecording processing unit; a recording period arranged to subject thecaptured image signal obtained at said imaging processing unit to arecording process at said recording processing unit as still image data;and a preview period arranged to display the still image data accordingto the recording process of said recording period.
 3. The imagingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit controls saidfirst display panel unit to display the captured image signal obtainedat said imaging processing unit as a monitoring image, and controlsexecution/non-execution of display of said monitoring image at saidsecond display panel unit based on the determination process results ofvisual recognition possibility conditions as to said second displaypanel, during said monitoring period.
 4. The imaging apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the determination process of said visual recognitionpossibility conditions is a determination process regarding whether ornot there is a person in said subject side, a determination process ofan imaging mode, a determination process regarding internal detectioninformation, or a determination process regarding the image analyzingprocess results of a captured image signal.
 5. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said control unit controls said firstdisplay panel unit to display the captured image signal obtained at saidimaging processing unit as a monitoring image, and controls said seconddisplay panel unit not to execute display of said monitoring image,during said monitoring period.
 6. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein said control unit controls only one of said firstdisplay panel unit and said second display panel unit to execute displayof still image data according to the recording process at said recordingprocessing unit during said recording period.
 7. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said control unit controls both or neitherof said first display panel unit and said second display panel unit toexecute display of still image data according to the recording processat said recording processing unit during said recording period.
 8. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unitcontrols only one of said first display panel unit and said seconddisplay panel unit to execute display of still image data according tothe recording process at said recording processing unit during saidpreview period.
 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, whereinsaid control unit controls both of said first display panel unit andsaid second display panel unit to execute display of still image dataaccording to the recording process at said recording processing unit,and further controls said second display panel unit to execute displayof said still image data for a longer period as compared to said firstdisplay panel unit, during said preview period.
 10. The imagingapparatus according to claim 2, said operation periods furtherincluding: a playback period arranged to play and display image datarecorded in a recording medium; wherein said control unit controls onlyone of said first display panel unit and said second display panel unitto execute said playback display during said playback period.
 11. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 2, said operation periods furtherincluding: a playback period arranged to play and display image datarecorded in a recording medium; wherein said control unit controls saidfirst display panel unit to execute said playback display, and controlsexecution/non-execution of said playback display at said second displaypanel unit based on the determination process results of visualrecognition possibility conditions as to said second display panel,during said playback period.
 12. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 2, said operation periods further including: a playback periodarranged to play and display image data recorded in a recording medium;wherein said control unit controls said first display panel unit toselectively execute list display and single image display serving assaid playback display, and controls said second display panel unit toexecute only single image display, during said playback period.
 13. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 2, said operation periods furtherincluding: a moving image recording period arranged to subject thecaptured image signal obtained at said imaging processing unit to arecording process at said recording processing unit as moving imagedata; wherein said control unit controls said first display panel unitto execute moving image display according to said recording process, andcontrols execution/non-execution of said moving image display at saidsecond display panel unit based on the determination process results ofvisual recognition possibility conditions as to said second displaypanel.
 14. A display control method for an imaging apparatus including,as operation periods of said imaging apparatus, at least a monitoringperiod arranged to execute monitoring display of a captured image signalobtained at an imaging process without executing a recording process, arecording period arranged to subject the captured image signal obtainedat said imaging process to a recording process as still image data, anda preview period arranged to display the still image data according tosaid recording process, said display control method comprising the stepsof: controlling the display states of a first display panel unitconfigured to execute display toward a user side, disposed on anapparatus casing, and a second display panel unit configured to executedisplay toward a subject side, disposed on said apparatus casing, foreach of said operation periods; and executing display control wherebysaid first display panel unit and said second display panel unit canhave different display content during at least a single or moreoperation periods.